Proclaiming the word of God, reflected in the life of Blessed John Paul II

Bishop Smith preached on the first reading of the Mass, which was read by Muiris, taken from the Acts of the Apostles.

The apostles Peter and James had been arrested after the resurrection, charged with being "companions of Jesus". Bishop Smith reflected on the life of Blessed John Paul II, recognising how he had been a "companion of Jesus" throughout his life and ministry.

The Bishop said that "all John Paul's pastoral activities, and not least of all his final illness and the intensity of his prayer, shows to us a beautiful description of what it means to be a "companion of Jesus" in the way we too can live our lives".

Thanks to James Wims for taking the photos at Mass in the Cathedral on Tuesday 3 May 2011.